Celebrating milestone in Alabama's Toyota manufacturer

by Candace White

Toyota Motor Manufacturing will celebrate the production of its 3-millionth engine Tuesday.{} It's said to be a major milestone for Alabama and the automotive industry in the state.{} U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions will commemorate that milestone at the manufacturing facility in Huntsville February 18.Sessions will deliver remarks on the need to defend American industry on the world stage alongside Governor Robert Bentley, Senator Richard Shelby, Rep. Mo Brooks, Mayor Tommy Battle, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL) President Jim Bolte. In 2013, TMMAL produced a record 540,000 engines.{} It is the only Toyota plant globally to build 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines.{} The first Toyota V8 engine outside Japan came off the line at the Alabama plant in 2003.{} The facility employs about 1,150 people.The automotive industry has remained solid in Alabama.{} There are production facilities in Huntsville, Lincoln and Vance.